Axewomen extend streak to four with win over REDS

WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Acadia defeated the UNB Reds 82-76 on Friday at Stu Aberdeen Court in front of 549 fans.

Bianca Helmig (Speyer, Germany) led the Axewomen with a career-high 32 points, shooting 11-for-25 from the field, including three three-pointers. She also tallied five assists and five rebounds. Samantha Russell (Dartmouth, NS) dominated the boards with 11 defensive rebounds and scored 16 points, making 8-of-13 free throws. Jewel Woolfitt (Brookfield, NS) added seven assists and two points, while Lisa Bolander (Uppsala, Sweden) contributed 17 points, including three three-pointers, along with five assists. Taya Dixon (Halifax, NS) chipped in with nine points and nine rebounds.

UNB's Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC) paced the Reds with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds. Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) added 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Lillian Fuller (Dartmouth, NS) scored 15 points, shooting 6-for-12, with two three-pointers and three assists, while Ann Bastien (Terrebonne, QC) delivered eight assists and two blocks.

Acadia took control early, leading 17-10 after the first quarter thanks to 10 points in the paint. Russell and Helmig anchored the offense with key rebounds and assists, while UNB struggled with turnovers, committing eight.

The second quarter was closely contested, with Acadia outscoring UNB 26-25. The Axewomen built a 14-point lead at one point, with Russell making her presence felt in the paint. UNB's Addie Mombourquette (Fredericton, NB) hit two three-pointers, and Bastien facilitated with assists, but turnovers continued to plague the Reds.

UNB fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Acadia 22-20. The Reds dominated the paint with 18 points, while the Axewomen managed just six. Acadia held their lead through efficient free-throw shooting, converting 5-of-6 attempts compared to UNB's lone attempt.

The fourth quarter was evenly matched, with both teams scoring 19 points. Acadia leveraged 10 points in the paint and edged UNB in rebounding, grabbing 13 total boards, including five offensive rebounds. UNB was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all eight attempts, while Acadia went 4-for-8.

The Axewomen held off the Reds' late-game push to secure the win.

Next weekend Acadia hosts STFX next Saturday night for their final game of 2024 before the break, while UNB is back in action tomorrow to face Saint Mary's in Halifax.